Yes, you can make something very close to “reservations” at Olive Garden, but what’s available depends on the location and your party size.

Quick Scoop

  • Many Olive Garden locations let you book a table online or by phone, especially for standard‑size parties.
  • Some restaurants don’t do strict reservations but use call‑ahead seating or an online waitlist instead.
  • Large groups are more likely to be able to reserve or pre‑arrange seating in advance.

What Olive Garden Usually Offers

1. Standard reservations (varies by location)

Some locations allow:

  • Online reservations via the Olive Garden website, sometimes under a “Reservations” or “Book a Table” section.
  • Phone reservations by calling the specific restaurant or a general booking line.
  • Confirmation by text or email with your time, date, and party size.

These work like normal restaurant reservations: you pick a time, they hold a table around that time, and you check in when you arrive.

2. Call‑ahead seating

A lot of guides note that Olive Garden often uses call‑ahead seating rather than strict reservations.

  • You call the location before you arrive and give your name, party size, and approximate arrival time.
  • They add you to a list and give you an estimated wait time, then seat you when a table opens.
  • This can shorten your wait but doesn’t guarantee a specific exact time like a traditional reservation.

3. Online waitlist

Olive Garden also uses an online waitlist system in many areas.

  • You choose your location, approximate arrival time, and party size, then join a virtual queue.
  • You get a confirmation screen or message, then check in with the host when you arrive to be seated as your turn comes up.

This is a “soft” alternative to reservations: it’s about cutting down your lobby wait, not locking in a precise seating time.

Large parties and special occasions

For big groups (birthdays, work dinners, family gatherings):

  • Many locations accept advance bookings for large parties and recommend calling ahead.
  • You can often book further in advance (sometimes up to around 30 days) for bigger groups.
  • It helps to mention any special needs (high chairs, accessibility, celebration, etc.) when you call.

Large‑party bookings are closer to “true” reservations and are usually handled directly by the restaurant.

How to actually book

Here’s a simple step‑by‑step approach you can use today:

  1. Go to the official Olive Garden site and search your nearest location. Look for “Reservations,” “Join Waitlist,” or similar wording.
  1. If you see “Reservations,” follow the prompts: choose date, time, party size, and confirm.
  1. If you only see an online waitlist, join it for roughly when you plan to arrive.
  1. If nothing is clear online or you have a large group, call the restaurant directly and ask if they:
    • Take reservations at that location,
    • Offer call‑ahead seating, or
    • Recommend joining an online waitlist at a specific time.

Mini forum‑style take

“Some Olive Garden spots let me book online like any other chain, others only do call‑ahead or waitlist. I always just check the website first, then call if I’m taking a big group.”

So, you can make reservations or near‑reservations at Olive Garden, but it’s highly location‑specific—checking your local restaurant’s page or calling them is the most reliable move.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.